8.0. HRSR 11-01-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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GMHF's Growth Corridor Initiative •troduction , Y i®■ With over$62 million in capital funds awarded i' X11 '' L. __ to date, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF) has been supporting the creation assist communities to comprehensively plan for the of affordable housing in the 80 counties outside the range of other opportunities and challenges before them, Twin Cities metro area since 1996. Launched as a joint including natural resource conservation, recreation, effort of The McKnight Foundation and Blandin transportation, economic development, zoning and Foundation, GMHF is an intermediary through which public financing. foundations, corporations and local employers In its pilot year (2005-2006), Growth Corridor contribute to affordable housing through gap loans, Initiative funding will be available to municipalities in technical assistance, public education and research, Chisago, Isanti, Sherburne and Wright Counties. advocacy and special initiatives. Catalyst for Progress and Innovation: GMHF Program Overview and Principles serves as a catalyst for progress and innovation, specializing in creating strategically important programs that promote livable neighborhoods through GMHF is launching the Growth Corridor Initiative wise use of land,mixed-income housing,cost reduction at a critical moment in time for high-growth techniques, traditional neighborhood design and communities on the edge of the seven county j employer involvement. metropolitan area. While development pressures have been steadily increasing, communities have not yet lost A Broad and Ambitious New Initiative: Building he success and lessons of GMHF's Building Better the opportunity to conduct careful, community driven eighborhoods (BBN) starter home program, GMHF decision making that will focus on results and the is launching the Growth Corridor Initiative, a new, implementation of projects that will set the stage for broad and ambitious initiative designed to meet the future growth. needs of high-growth cities along the growth corridors Through partnerships with interested communities, of greater Minnesota. and by serving as the catalyst for other philanthropic While high population growth and rapid and local investment, GMHF's Growth Corridor development offer tremendous economic opportunities, Initiative program is committed to supporting: acute challenges remain for preserving the quality of ® Planning: Support effective, area-wide planning that life for both long-time residents and newcomers. addresses needs in growing communities for affordable Ensuring that the rich natural resources, small-town housing, economic development, transportation charm, local employment and affordable housing infrastructure, community facilities, open space and opportunities do not fall victim to metropolitan sprawl recreation, and the conservation and enlargement of is critical to the long-term vitality of these high growth natural systems. communities. ®Land Use: Promote efficient land use patterns that Beyond a Single, Residential Subdivision: support the growth of economically, environmentally, GMHF's new Growth Corridor Initiative will provide and socially healthy cities. funding support for area-wide integrated planning ®Housing: Encourage development of a variety of efforts, capacity-building for planning and housing types, styles and price points that meet the implementation staff,and capital funding to foster large affordability and life-cycle housing needs of growing scale model projects in greater Minnesota's growth communities and reduce distances which workers must corridors. travel to reach employment. I •lthough GMHF's primary focus will continue to 4. Community Participation & Local Control: I be the creation of affordable housing, the Growth Increase meaningful citizen participation throughout the I Corridor Initiative is intended to go beyond a single l community planning process to facilitate greater public residential subdivision. Broad and flexible support will education and awareness of local development issues. t ri 1V1' `, H ,-,F _ REN